Submitted

Mon, Oct 22nd 2018 01:10 pm

WABC anchor Bill Ritter to moderate debate live on Thursday from station's Eyewitness News Studio in New York City

WABC-TV, the most-watched station in the country, and the NY DMA, will host the U.S. Senate debate between Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican rival Chele Farley via live streaming at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, from the Eyewitness News studio in New York City. Hosted by WABC's anchor Bill Ritter, the debate will also air during the station's weekly political flagship show "Up Close with Bill Ritter" at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28.

WABC has offered the broadcast to other ABC affiliates in New York to ensure statewide linear coverage.

WABC was identified as the best platform for the debate after the original one was canceled on Friday. Taking action to ensure an open public debate, both candidates agreed Saturday to the ABC debate. The 30-minute debate will be streamed live and commercial-free to anyone on WABC's digital and social platforms, including the ABC7NY app, ABC7NY.com, Facebook Live and YouTube live.

"We are thrilled to bring the candidates' viewpoints to New Yorkers across the state through our streaming and linear coverage of the debate," said Debra O'Connell, president and general manager, WABC-TV. "It is our mission to serve viewers by providing objective insights on local races that will shape the future of our communities."

Ritter added, "It's essential we provide a forum available statewide for the candidates to address the key issues of our time. As a New York newsman for over 20 years, I've heard firsthand from viewers about the issues that affect their lives and our communities."